Established in 1888, the Society is New Zealand's oldest conservation organisation.

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Woodhaugh Tree Planting

The day was grey and cool for the Society’s tree planting programme at Woodhaugh Gardens on July 23rd, but it certainly didn’t dampen people’s spirit. Over 50 people brought their favourite spade and donned their gumboots to plant trees at Woodhaugh with the Society. Specimen Kahikatea, Totara and Rimu trees were planted by Sir Alan Mark, Les Cleveland and members of the Calvert family, while a further 500 native restoration species were planted in two areas of the reserve by the willing volunteers who attended. It was energising and humbling for the Society to have so many people young and old “take up arms” in the cause of one of Dunedin’s great scenic reserves. Special mention should go to Chris Trotter from Delta who is the resident groundsman for Woodhaugh. Chris brought his enthusiasm and passion for Woodhaugh on Saturday and hopefully it rubbed off on all of those who attended. The Society was also supported by the Dunedin City Council’s Taskforce Green team who gave up their Saturday morning to transport the plants and make the morning a great success. The Woodhaugh planting is just the beginning of the Society’s continued efforts to refocus Alexander Bathgate’s original Arbor Day vision for Dunedin and New Zealand. In August the Society will announce the inaugural Alexander Bathgate Arbor Day Awards programme that will help provide further opportunities for schools and communities to embrace the Arbor Day spirit.